Carrier for flanged articles

ABSTRACT

A carrier for flanged articles comprises a pair of main panels arranged in face contacting relation and disposed in overlying relation with respect to the articles and a pair of auxiliary panels are foldably joined to each of the main panels along opposite side edges thereof and apertures are formed in each of the auxiliary panels in close proximity to the upper ends of the adjacent articles. The auxiliary panels of the lower main panel are folded inwardly through angles substantially in excess of 90* so that the apertures therein at least partially envelop the upper ends of the adjacent articles. The auxiliary panels associated with the top main panel are folded downwardly through angles of 90* or less to positions wherein portions of the upper ends of adjacent articles are enveloped within the apertures formed therein so that each article is gripped below its flange from opposite sides by the auxiliary panels.

O United States Patent [is] 3,674,136 Forrer 1 July 4, 1972 [54] CARRIER FOR FLANGED ARTICLES Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza [72] Inventor: Homer W. Forrer, Jonesboro, Ga. jjfifgfwsgfh figg g x' Forsberg [73] Assignee: The Mead Corporation, Dayton, Ohio [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 1, 1971 A carrier for flanged articles comprises a pair of main panels PP N 148,597 arranged in face contacting relation and disposed in overlying relation with respect to the articles and a pair of auxiliary 521 US. Cl ..206/65 s, 206/65 E, 206 4533, Panels are foldably Joined to each of the main PanelS along 224/ AB 294/8722 posite side edges thereof and apertures are formed in each of 51 1 Int. Cl. ..Bd 71/00, B65d /62 the auxiliary Pmximity the "PW ends of 58 Field Of Search 294/8722; 224 45 AB, 45 BA, adiacem articles- The auxiliary Panels Ower main Panel 224/45 AC 45 p 45 A 45 206/65 E 65 S are folded inwardly through angles substantially in excess of so that the apertures therein at least partially envelop the upper ends of the adjacent articles. The auxiliary panels as- [56] References cued sociated with the top main panel are folded downwardly UNlTED STATES PATENTS through angles of 90 or less to positions wherein portions of the upper ends of adjacent articles are enveloped within the 3,498,449 3/l970 Spery ..206/65 E apertures formed therein 50 that each article is gripped below its flange from opposite sides by the auxiliary panels. 1r y 8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PKTENTEDJUMIQR 3.674.136

- sum 10! 4 ATTOKNE Y PKTENTEBJUL 4 1972 3,674,136

sum 3 or 4 INVEA/ TOR HOMER w FORRER CARRIER FOR FLANGED ARTICLES Carriers for flanged articles are well known in which means are provided for gripping the articles immediately below their flanges. Some conventional flange gripping carriers are well suited for use in conjunction with wraparound type carriers made of paperboard. Other known flange engaging carriers are well suited for use in conjunction with shrink film packages while still other carriers for flanged articles are best suited for packaging articles in a single row only.

According to this invention a double-gripping action is provided which is well suited for use in conjunction with wraparound type carriers constructed of paperboard as well as for use in conjunction with article carriers wherein the overwrap is formed of shrink film material. Furthermore carriers may be constructed according to this invention for use in conjunction with a pair only of flanged articles or may be used to package a group of articles of a substantial number of articles.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier for a pair of flanged articles wherein no overwrap is utilized;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which thecarrier of FIG. 1 is fonned;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a package utilizing a stabilizing device formed according to the present invention and wherein an overwrap of shrink film material is disposed about the article group;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of the two blanks used to form the stabilizing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the other of the two blanks utilized to form the stabilizing device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wraparound type carrier formed for example of paperboard and wherein means are provided for gripping the tops of the packaged articles according to a modification of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the main blank used to form the carrier in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the inner blank incorporated within the package shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the package depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5 but which includes an end panel;

FIG. 13 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 but which includes an end panel; and in which FIG. 14 is an end view of a package formed from the blanks of FIGS. 12 and 13.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a pair of main blanks l and 2 are foldably adjoined along their end edges at the fold line designated by the numeral 3. A pair of auxiliary panels 4 and 5 are foldably joined to main panel 1 along the side edges 6 and 7 thereof respectively. U-shaped slits 8 and 9 are formed in auxiliary panels 4 and 5 respectively and define apertures in auxiliary panels 4 and 5 and also form tabs 10 and 11 which overlie the tops of the packaged bottles B.

Auxiliary panels 12 and 13 are foldably joined to main panel 2 along fold lines 14 and 15 respectively. Generally U-shaped cuts 16 and 17 are formed in auxiliary panels 12 and 13 respectively and define apertures in the auxiliary panels and also form tabs 18 and 19 which overlie the tops of the packaged articles.

The package shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is formed by folding main panel 2 along fold line 3 into overlying relation with respect to main panel 1. Thereafter auxiliary panels 4 and 5 are folded downwardly out of the plane of main panel 1 through angles substantially in excess of 90. Auxiliary panels 12 and 13 are folded downwardly out of the plane of main panel 2 through angles of 90 degrees or less and the entire structure is placed atop the two bottles B to occupy the position depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein the apertures in all the auxiliary panels envelope the upper portions of the bottles B. If the packaged articles are chimed cans, the auxiliary panels 12 and 13 would preferably lie flat against the sides of the cans and at ninety to the main panel 2. With chimed cans the acute angle between main panel 1 and auxiliary panels 4 and 5 normally is smaller than that indicated in FIG. 3. If bottles are packaged the angle through which each auxiliary panel l2, 13 is folded ordinarily is less than ninety (90). As is obvious from the drawings the lower edge of each of the apertures is engaged underneath the cap C" of the associated bottle 8" thereby affording a double gripping action for securely engaging the bottle.

In order to carry the package as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it is necessary simply to apply lifting force underneath the main panels 1 and 2 whereupon a lifting force is imparted to the bottles B. Since the auxiliary panels 5 and 13 provide a double action opposed gripping force to the associated bottle such as Bl, a balanced lifting force is applied thereto. In like fashion auxiliary panels 4 and 12 provide a double action opposed gripping force to the bottle B2 underneath its cap C so as to impart a balanced lifting force to the bottle B2.

While the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is depicted in conjunction with bottles, it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to chimed cans and the like. In such event the upper chimes of the cans are simply gripped in the manner in which the caps of the bottles are gripped as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as is obvious.

The invention is not limited to use in conjunction with a pair of articles but may be used to carry a greater number as is apparent from the modification of the invention as shown in FIGS. 4-7 inclusive. The arrangement of FIG. 4 includes a stabilizing device formed of the blanks depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 together with a wrapper W" of shrink film material. Furthermore, as is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the stabilizing device may be formed of separate blanks rather than from an integral blank as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, main panel 20 is provided with a pair of finger-gripping apertures 21 and 22 and a pair of auxiliary panels 23 and 24 are foldably joined to main panel 20 along fold lines 25 and 26 respectively. A plurality of generally U-shaped slits 27, 28 and 29 are formed in auxiliary panel 23 and similar slits 30, 31 and 32 are formed in auxiliary panel 24. Slits 27-32 define apertures in auxiliary panels 23 and 24 and also form article overlying tabs 27a-32a which are disposed within the plane of main panel 20 as is well understood in the art.

The blank of FIG. 6 is disposed in generally coincidental relationship with respect to the blank of FIG. 5 and is thus similar to the blank of FIG. 5. More specifically the blank of FIG. 6 includes a main panel 33 in which a pair of fingergripping apertures 34 and 35 are formed. Auxiliary panels 36 and 37 are foldably joined to main panel 33 along fold lines 38 and 39 respectively. U-shaped slits 40, 41 and 42 are formed in auxiliary panel 36 and similar U-shaped slits 43, 44 and 45 are formed in auxiliary panel 37. Slits 40-45 define apertures in auxiliary panels 36 and 37 and also form tabs 46-51 which are disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the caps of the associated bottles disposed within the corresponding apertures formed in the auxiliary panels as is obvious from the drawing.

In order to form the package depicted in FIG. 4, the blank of FIG. 6 is placed underneath the blank of FIG. 5. The auxiliary panels 36 and 37 are folded downwardly and inwardly through angles substantially in excess of ninety (90) and the auxiliary panels 23 and 24 are folded downwardly through angles of 90 or less to occupy the positions depicted in FIGS. 4 and 7 and the stabilizing device is then placed atop the group of articles and appears as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. As is obvious from the drawings, the apertures defined, for example, by slits 30, 31 and 32 partially envelope the upper ends of articles B5, B3 and B1. In like fashion the apertures formed in auxiliary panel 37 by the slits 43, 44 and 45 are disposed on the opposite sides of the bottles B5, 83" and B1 and partially envelope the upper ends thereof. It is apparent particularly from FIG. 7 that the lower edges of the caps such as Cl" and C2" are engaged by the lower edges of the apertures formed by U-shaped slits 32, 45, 29 and 42. Thus a double gripping action is provided according to the invention. The overwrap W" preferably is of shrink film material and is disposed about the package group in any suitable manner. It will be understood that the manner by which the overwrap W is placed about the article group is not significant insofar as this invention is concerned so long as the articles are partially or fully enclosed therein. Furthermore it is apparent that the wrapper W" could be disposed about the package such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 and that the number of articles disposed within the wrapper W" is not significant. Furthermore the shrink film W could be wrapped about the group of articles in any desired wrapping orientation or, if desired, the shrink film wrapper W" could be preformed and the articles inserted therein from openings at the ends thereof, at the sides thereof or at the tops thereof and such orientation of the article inserting operation is not significant insofar as the present invention is concerned.

The invention is also applicable to wraparound type carriers such as are formed of paperboard and such as that depicted in FIGS. 8-11 wherein a second modification of the invention is shown. FIG. 9 depicts a main conventional blank which is adapted to be wrapped about a group of articles to form a package such as is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9 main panel 55 is provided with a pair of finger-gripping apertures 56 and 57 and a pair of auxiliary panels 58 and 59 are foldably joined to the side edges of main panel 55 along fold line 60 and 61 respectively. U-shaped cuts 62, 63 and 64 are formed in auxiliary panel 58 and similar cuts 65, 66 and 67 are formed in auxiliary panel 59. These U-shaped cuts of course form apertures within the auxiliary panels 58 and 59 and also form tabs 68-73 which overlie portions of the caps C of the associated bottles B.

Foldably joined to the lower edges 74 and 75 of the auxiliary panels 58 and 59 respectively are a pair of side walls 76 and 77. A conventional tear strip 78 is formed in sidewall 77.

Bottom sloping panel 79 is foldably joined along fold line 80 to side wall 76 and a plurality of apertures 81, 82 and 83 are formed in sloping panel 79. A similar sloping panel 84 is foldably joined along fold line 85 to the lower edge of side wall 77 and apertures 86, 87 and 88 are formed in sloping panel 84.

The bottom wall of the carrier is a composite panel comprising a pair of lap panels 89 and 90 which are foldably joined respectively along fold lines 91 and 92 to the lower edges of sloping panels 79 and 84 respectively. A pair of wrapper tightening apertures 93 and 94 are formed in lap panel 89 and similar tightening apertures 95 and 96 are formed in lap panel 90. As is well known in the art, suitable machine elements enter the apertures 93 and 94 and draw lap panel 89 underneath the package and in opposition to tightening elements disposed within tightening apertures 95 and 96. After the wrapper is tightened it is locked in position about the packaged articles by driving the locking tabs 97-100 into the openings defined by retaining tabs 101-104 respectively. When the package is completed, a keel panel 105 which is foldably joined to lap panel 90 along fold line 106 is disposed between the two rows of bottles as is apparent in FIG. 8.

The blank as shown in FIG. 9 is of conventional construction but according to the invention, the main panel 55 and the auxiliary panels 58 and 59 cooperate with the blank depicted in FIG. to achieve a secure and versatile packaging operation according to this invention. Toward this end the blank of FIG. 10 is disposed immediately below the main panel 55 and the auxiliary panels 58 and 59. The blank of FIG. 10 may be affixed in some manner as by adhesive or otherwise to the blank of FIG. 9 but such securement is not necessary according to one feature of the invention. The dual gripping action provided according to the invention serves to hold the articles in place and greatly enhances package security and portability.

The blank of FIG. 10 includes a main panel 107 in which finger gripping apertures 108 and 109 are formed. Auxiliary panels 110 and 111 are foldably joined to main panel 107 along fold lines 112 and 113. U-shaped cuts 114-116 are formed in auxiliary panel and similar U-shaped cuts 117-119 are formed in auxiliary panel 111. As is obvious the slits 1 14-1 19 define apertures within auxiliary panels 1 10 and 111 and also form tabs 120-125 which are integral with and lie in the plane of main panel 107 and overlie the caps C" of the associated bottles B.

In order to form the package as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 from the blanks depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 it is simply necessary to dispose the blank of FIG. 10 underneath the blank of FIG. 9 with the main panel 107 immediately below and in coincidental relationship with respect to the main panel 55. Thereafter the auxiliary panels 110 and 111 are folded downwardly and inwardly through angles of ninety degrees or less to occupy the positions shown for example in FIG. 11. Thereafter the package is completed by the downward folding of side walls 76 and 77 which of course is accompanied by downward folding of auxiliary panels 58 and 59 through angles substantially less than 90 to occupy the positions as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The package is completed by securing the lap panels 89 and 90 together by way of a tightening and locking operation as is well known in the art. The articles are held by a double gripping action as is obvious.

The blanks depicted in FIGS. 12 and 13 are similar to the blanks of FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively except that FIGS. 12 and 13 incorporate end panels at each end of the blanks together with associated web structure for holding the end panels in assembled position as shown in FIG. 14. The same numeral designations are used in FIGS. 12 and 13 as are used in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively for elements which are common to these two sets of figures.

The blank of FIG. 12 includes end panels 126 and 127 foldably joined along fold lines 128 and 129 respectively to the end edges of main panel 20.

For the purpose of holding the end panels in place, web structure is provided at each end thereof and forms a connection with the end edge of the end panel and the adjacent end edge of the auxiliary panel. For example in FIG. 12, web panel 130 is foldably joined to web panel 131 along fold line 132 and to the end edge of end panel 129 along fold line 133. Web panel 131 is foldably joined to the end edge of auxiliary panel 23 along fold line 134. Web structures generally designated in FIG. 12 by the numerals 135, 136 and 137 are identical to the web structure comprising components designated by the numerals 130-134 and a detailed description thereof is not deemed necessary.

The inner blank of FIG. 13 is also provided with a pair of end panels 138 and 139 which are foldably joined to main panel 33 along fold lines 140 and 141 respectively. Web structure is formed in each corner of the blank shown in FIG. 13 and such structure is designated generally by the numerals 142, 143, 144 and 145. As before structure 142 comprises a pair of web panels 146 and 147 which are foldably interconnected with each other along fold line 148. Web panel 146 is foldably joined to end panel 138 along fold line 149 while web panel 147 is foldably joined to auxiliary panel 36 along fold line 150.

The blank of FIG. 12 is placed atop the blank of FIG. 13 and these two face contacting blanks are manipulated as with the arrangements of FIGS. 5 and 6. They then appear as shown in FIG. 14 after being applied to a group of bottles. As is apparent in FIG. 14, the auxiliary panels 23 and 24 associated with the top blank occupy the same positions as do the corresponding panels in FIG. 7. In addition the auxiliary panels 36 and 37 are folded inwardly but are not visible in FIG. 14 because they are disposed behind the end panel 126. Web panel 146 is disposed vertically and web panel 147 is angularly disposed and the web structure associated with both end panels 126 and 138 serve to hold these end panels in the positions depicted in FIG. 14 with the end panel 138 disposed immediately behind and in face contacting relationship with the end panel 126.

As is well known the end panels enhance the stability of the package and strengthen the package mechanically. Furthermore they afiord advertising space which may be beneficially used.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A carrier for a group of at least two articles each having a I laterally projecting flange at its upper end and the articles being arranged in side-by-side rectilinear relation with their axes generally parallel to each other, the carrier comprising a stabilizing device having a pair of main panels arranged in face contacting relation and disposed in overlying relation with respect to at least two of the articles, a pair of auxiliary panels foldably joined to each of said main panels along opposite side edges thereof, at least one aperture formed in each of said auxiliary panels and disposed immediately adjacent one of said articles, the auxiliary panels adjoined to one of said main panels being folded out of the plane thereof through angles in excess of 90 into positions underneath such main panel to form an acute angle with respect to such main panel and respectively to envelope at least portions of the upper ends of the articles within said apertures and the auxiliary panels adjoined to the other of said main panels being folded out of the plane thereof through angles of 90 or less and into positions wherein at least portions of the upper ends of the articles are enveloped by said apertures along the opposite sides thereof from said auxiliary panels which are adjoined to said one main panel.

2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an overwrap is disposed about said articles and said stabilizing device.

3. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an edge of each of said apertures underlies the laterally projecting flange of the associated article.

4. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said main panels are affixed to each other.

5. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said main panels are foldably joined to each other along adjacent end edges at one end thereof.

6. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein a pair of side walls constitute downward extensions of the auxiliary panels which are adjoined to said other main panel and disposed alongside the articles, and a bottom wall structure foldably adjoined to the bottom edges of said side walls along opposite side edges thereof respectively to form a tubular structure about the articles.

7. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said one main panel is disposed immediately below said other main panel.

8. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an end panel is foldably joined to each end edge of each of said main panels and wherein web structure interconnects each end of each end panel and the adjacent end of the associated one of said auxiliary panels. 

1. A carrier for a group of at least two articles each having a laterally projecting flange at its upper end and the articles being arranged in side-by-side rectilinear relation with their axes generally parallel to each other, the carrier comprising a stabilizing device having a pair of main panels arranged in face contacting relation and disposed in overlying relation with respect to at least two of the articles, a pair of auxiliary panels foldably joined to each of said main panels along opposite side edges thereof, at least one aperture formed in each of said auxiliary panels and disposed immediately adjacent one of said articles, the auxiliary panels adjoined to one of said main panels being folded out of the plane thereof through angles in excess of 90* into positions underneath such main panel to form an acute angle with respect to such main panel and respectively to envelope at least portions of the upper ends of the articles within said apertures and the auxIliary panels adjoined to the other of said main panels being folded out of the plane thereof through angles of 90* or less and into positions wherein at least portions of the upper ends of the articles are enveloped by said apertures along the opposite sides thereof from said auxiliary panels which are adjoined to said one main panel.
 2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an overwrap is disposed about said articles and said stabilizing device.
 3. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an edge of each of said apertures underlies the laterally projecting flange of the associated article.
 4. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said main panels are affixed to each other.
 5. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said main panels are foldably joined to each other along adjacent end edges at one end thereof.
 6. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein a pair of side walls constitute downward extensions of the auxiliary panels which are adjoined to said other main panel and disposed alongside the articles, and a bottom wall structure foldably adjoined to the bottom edges of said side walls along opposite side edges thereof respectively to form a tubular structure about the articles.
 7. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein said one main panel is disposed immediately below said other main panel.
 8. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein an end panel is foldably joined to each end edge of each of said main panels and wherein web structure interconnects each end of each end panel and the adjacent end of the associated one of said auxiliary panels. 